Air Pollution in the Philippines

by: Christienne Simone F. De Jesus

The introduction of hazardous elements into the environment is referred to as

pollution and these hazardous elements are called pollutants. Pollutants can be natural
or can also be caused by human activities, such as garbage or factory waste. Pollutants
wreak havoc on the environment, including the air, water, and land. According to
Mackenzie and Turrentine (2021), Air pollution is defined as the discharge of pollutants
into the atmosphere that is harmful to human health and the environment. It is a
combination of solid particles and gases in the air. Particles may be suspended because
of automobile emissions, factory chemicals, dust, pollen, and mold spores. It isn't just a
problem outside but can also be a problem within buildings, affecting your health. (EPA,
2021). The EPA has classified air pollutants that cause disease as "Criteria Air Pollutants."
These are the air pollutants that are most numerous in the atmosphere and, as a result,
do the most harm to human health. The EPA has identified certain air contaminants as
requiring particular care to keep their levels under acceptable limits. Some contaminants
in the air are harmful and one of the most common ailments is a disease caused by air
pollution. Inhaling them might raise your risk of developing health problems. Air pollution
puts those with heart or lung problems, and the elderly and children in danger. Diseases
caused by air pollutants kill and hospitalize millions of people every year. Estimates by
the World Health Organization imply that one out of every eight deaths in the world is
due to conditions associated with air pollution. A new study has found greater connections
between the development of respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses and both outdoor
and interior air pollution.

In the Philippines, air pollution has long been considered a problem. According to
the World Air Quality (2020), the Philippines rank 70 with the country that wad the worst
air quality in 2020. According to 2016 data, motor vehicles account for 80% of the
country's air pollution, with the remaining 20% coming from stationary sources such as
factories and open burning of organic matter. On the other hand, the weather is another
factor to consider. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has
noted that air pollution levels have increased in comparison to what the WHO
recommended acceptable levels. The millions of Filipinos who commute daily have a
dilemma because of this. Every day, they are exposed to a toxic mix of chemicals emitted
by the many cars that can be found around the city. Most of the automobiles on the road
here are older models that aren't equipped with pollution-reduction equipment. The dark-
colored gases generated by jeepneys are a major contribution to Manila's air pollution.
Most jeepneys run on diesel, which can be a significant source of pollution if not properly
maintained and serviced regularly. It is well-known for producing carcinogens, black
carbon (BC), and nitrogen oxide (NOx) (NOx). From a global perspective, it has also been
recognized that the Philippines' 2 million cars are responsible for over 80% of air pollution.
Data reveals that the country's air quality is deteriorating year after year. PM2.5 pollution
levels in AirVisual sites climbed from 14.6 micrograms per cubic meter in 2018 to 17.6
micrograms per cubic meter in 2019. Hence, according to a pediatrician from Makati
Medical Center, 90% of his patients have some form of respiratory disease, with some
newborns as young as two months old being diagnosed with asthma. The Philippine
Pediatric Society recently conducted a study in which doctors were asked to identify the
most prevalent condition that their patients were suffering from and most of their answer
was about upper respiratory tract disease. According to the World Health Organization
research published in 2018, the Philippines had 45.3 air pollution-related fatalities per
100,000 inhabitants. After China's 81.5 pollution-related fatalities and Mongolia's 48.8
deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, this was the third-highest in the world. 7 million deaths
related to air pollution, 2.2 million were caused by heart disease or stroke. That is why
the Philippine Clean Air Act or Republic Act No. 8749 was established. It is a
comprehensive air quality management policy and program which aims to achieve and
maintain healthy air for all Filipinos. (DOH, 2021). Nevertheless, Greenpeace Philippines,
Clean Air Asia, Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED), Health Care Without
Harm, the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, and the Worldwide Fund for Nature
Philippines also urged the Philippine government to revamp and improve existing air
pollution monitoring systems to provide more reliable information on whether the air in
the country is safe to breathe.

In the Philippines, air pollution is a silent killer. As time passes, pollution worsens,
resulting in a rise in the number of individuals who suffer and die as a result. Therefore,
as Filipino citizens, we must be accountable for our conduct. We must abide by the law,
and we should also begin to join various non-government organizations dedicated to
assisting our environment and resolving the problem of air pollution. Remember, you can
choose the water you drink, but you can't do much about the air you breathe.
References:

BusinessMirror. (2020, March 02). PHL govt urged: Take prompt steps to improve air
quality. BusinessMirror. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/03/02/phl-govt-urged-
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IQAir. (2021). Air quality in the Philippines. Retrieved on July 25, 2021, from
https://www.iqair.com/philippines

Mackenzie, J. & Turrentine, J. (2021, June 21), Air Pollution: Everything You Need to
Know. Retrieved on July 24, 2021, from https://www.nrdc.org/stories/air-pollution-
everything-you-need-know

National Geographic. (2021). Pollution. Retrieved on July 24, 2021, From

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/pollution/

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (2021). Air Pollution and Your
Health. Retrieved on July 25, 2021, from
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Perez, D. (2019, March 02). Philippines Ranks Third in Air Pollution Deaths. Here’s What
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Tomacruz, S. (2018, July 25). Air pollution deaths 3rd highest in PH. Rappler.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/air-pollution-deaths-3rd-highest-philippines